Whitley East student selected as 2022-2023 AARP essay winner

The Johnny Lawson (LEFT) was presented with a plaque and a certificate from AARP by Meg Judd (RIGHT), president of the Whitley Area Retired Teachers’ Association, during the association’s quarterly meeting last week.

Out of the eight elementary schools in the Whitley County area, a Whitley East Elementary School student was selected as the Whitley County Winner in the 2022-2023 “Grandparent of the Year” essay contest sponsored by AARP Kentucky and the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association (KRTA).

Johnny Lawson was among thousands of Kentucky fifth graders who participated in the 21st Annual Essay competition this year.

Students submitted essays answering why “My Grandparent should be the AARP

Kentucky Grandparent of the Year” to their 5th Grade teachers, who selected the school’s winner. Winning school entries were then submitted to the local Retired Teacher Association where a committee selected the county winner. Participants included students from all area elementary schools, including Whitley County, Williamsburg Independent and Corbin Independent.

The Whitley Area Retired Teachers’ Association (WARTA) is who selected Lawson’s essay from among the other entrees. Lawson was invited to the association’s quarterly meeting last Thursday, where he received a plaque and a certificate for his winning essay. He also read his essay, which focused on his grandfather, also named Johnny Lawson.

Lawson’s essay has now been entered into the district competition, which includes elementary schools from Clay, Laurel, Knox, and Harlan counties, Middlesboro Independent, Barbourville Independent, Pineville Independent and Harlan Independent. If he is fortunate to win there, he will become eligible to participate in the state finals. 

The state winner will be recognized at the Annual KRTA Convention in Louisville Ky. on April 17, 2023, and will also receive a $100 award.

Across the country, an increasing number of adults 50 and over are the primary caregivers to minor children. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 98,000 children in Kentucky are being raised by or living with a grandparent householder.